From a refugee to a martial artist

Chapter 111 Green Photon

Meng Yuan is a young boy.

It stands to reason that after entering the Demon Suppression Bureau, one should study the strengths of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, and also read past case files and learn how to fight.

But after Meng Yuan arrived at the guard post, he went out to work before he could even get warm. After finishing his work, he took a break. He didn't even have time to accompany Nie Qingqing to appreciate the moon, and he didn't even have time to turn the pages of the book.

Although he has experienced many battles since his debut, the enemies he encountered were those from the martial arts path and the Buddhist path.

Meng Yuan benefited a lot from the repeated fights.

Because he practices martial arts himself and has Master Nie by his side to give him constant guidance, Meng Yuan has the deepest understanding of martial arts.

The second is the Buddhist way, after all, it involves several battles.

Seeing that everyone had been counted, they set off.

Although Zhang Guinian appointed Meng Yuan to lead the team, he also wanted to go there in person.

Meng Yuan was completely confused and fell to the end of the team, asking about the Confucian path.

"Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism and martial arts actually each have their own strengths."

Zhang Guinian did not regard Meng Yuan as an outsider, and immediately pointed out, "The Confucian method of cultivation is actually reflected in their doctrines."

He pointed at Gong Zihua in front of him and continued, "Little Gong follows the path of a warrior, but he actually believes in Confucianism, so he can be called a Confucian scholar. However, those who truly follow the Confucian path are somewhat different from him."

Meng Yuan had heard the third young lady talk about this theory, which said that warriors had no doctrine to rely on, and if they studied Confucianism they would become Confucian knights, and if they studied Buddhism they would become martial monks.

"I heard that you are an excellent poet and swordsman, and you are well versed in history and Confucianism. Do you know what is the most important thing in Confucianism?" Zhang Guinian asked.

"Confucianism's involvement in the world is about self-cultivation, managing the family, governing the country and pacifying the world," said Meng Yuan.

"No wonder Old Nie said you are a half-baked person. You really are a half-baked person." Zhang Guinian started to laugh.

Meng Yuan was not ashamed to ask questions, and immediately said, "Uncle Zhang, teach me."

"It is certainly right to cultivate oneself, regulate one's family, govern the country and bring peace to the world." Zhang Guinian rode on his horse, holding the whip in his hand, and whispered, "But in fact, Confucianism is about seeking truth. It believes in benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and trustworthiness. With this as the foundation, one can cultivate oneself, regulate one's family, govern the country and bring peace to the world. Only then can one establish a mind for heaven and earth, and for the people... You should know what to establish."

Meng Yuan looked carefully and found that Zhang Guinian was actually a half-baked person who was just reading from a script.

"What about the Confucian approach?" Meng Yuan asked.

"Confucianism talks about inner sageliness and outer kingliness."

Seeing Meng Yuan constantly supporting the audience, Zhang Guinian became more interested in talking.

"The ninth level of Confucianism is generally called the Mingqiao Heart. It means that one is familiar with the classics of the saints and has his own aspirations. This realm is actually similar to our warriors. The strength is greater than that of ordinary people, the mind is clear, and the energy is cultivated."

"Why do Confucian scholars need to learn the six arts? Why do they run around with a sword in their hand every day? Are they free? In fact, it is a habit developed in the ninth grade, which is for the enlightenment of virtue and conduct."

"But these are just appearances. The inner purpose is to cultivate the mind and to nurture the noble spirit. To reach this state, one can read all the classics. Can one become a Confucianist if one does not know a single word? It is possible naturally. It depends on one's own heart."

"The eight qualities of Confucianism are the realm of studying things. Everything has its root and its end, and everything has its beginning and its end. If you know what comes first and what comes later, you are close to the truth."

"For this realm, the key is 'character'. The eight levels of Buddhism are to purify the mind, which is to eliminate greed, anger and ignorance. Confucianism is actually similar, observing, thinking, and finding the way all things work. It is actually somewhat similar to Taoist thought, but it is different. Anyway, the three schools have merged a lot, and some principles are common among the three religions."

"After reaching the eighth level, my strength has not improved much. But my mind has become clearer and sharper, and it is very easy to find flaws and patterns. It is difficult for ordinary illusions to disrupt my mind."

Zhang Guinian said this, looked at Meng Yuan, and asked, "Taoism has the theory of three talents, and Confucianism also has the theory of three talents. Do you know what they are?"

"Both families talk about heaven, earth and man. Among the three talents of Confucianism, there is also the concept of wisdom, benevolence and courage." Meng Yuan is a man of great learning, even ten Xianglings cannot compare to him, so naturally he is not difficult to defeat.

"That's right." Zhang Guinian praised, "The essence of the Confucian nine and eight grades is to develop wisdom."

"A wise man is not confused, a benevolent man is not worried, and a brave man is not afraid." Meng Yuan suddenly realized, "If one has all three qualities, he can be called a saint!"

"Great!" Zhang Guinian was very happy. "We warriors have a saying that there are three steps to ascend to heaven, and when we enter the seventh level, we can obtain the secrets of heaven. It's the same with Confucianism and Buddhism. Buddhism is about opening up the Dharma and obtaining various wonderful methods; Confucianism is about rectifying the mind, investigating things and gaining knowledge. If you are sincere and rectify your mind, you can be called a Confucian scholar."

Meng Yuan understood that Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism attach great importance to the cultivation of the "heart".

For example, the nine levels of Buddhism are to enlighten the mind, which is to plant the Bodhi seeds and obtain the Buddha's heart.

This statement is very mysterious and depends entirely on one's own perception. Once one realizes that the Bodhi seed has developed a Buddha mind, it is considered complete.

The same is true of Confucianism.

In contrast, the path of a warrior is really one step at a time. Opening an acupoint will make you stronger, and the ninth and eighth level perfection will bring about a huge change.

After reaching the seventh level, the secret treasures of heaven were revealed, and his strength improved by leaps and bounds.

"What magical powers do you have?" Meng Yuan only thought about fighting.

"If you want to cultivate yourself, you must first correct your heart. If you want to correct your heart, you must first be sincere in your intentions. Only when you understand things can you gain knowledge, and only when you gain knowledge can you be sincere in your intentions." Zhang Guinian said.

"Uncle Zhang, what you mean is that the seventh-rank scholar has achieved 'no doubts'?" Meng Yuan asked curiously.

"That's right." Zhang Guinian was very pleased and said with a smile: "The seventh-rank scholar's physique has changed, but he has not been reborn. His fundamental method is 'wisdom', which can see all kinds of changes, the changes in strength and weakness, and find your weaknesses. He may not be able to beat you, but as long as he fights with you once or twice, he will know how to break you. Therefore, the seventh-rank scholar is strong when he is strong, and weak when he is weak."

"In this case, if we have a seventh-rank Confucian scholar as our helper, won't we be invincible?" Meng Yuan frowned.

"Only the benevolent can be invincible." Zhang Guinian pointed at Meng Yuan with his whip and said, "In fact, where is the 'no doubt'? Where is the 'wisdom'? It's just talk. Can it really defeat the enemy? Taoism also says to change with the times and respond to changes in things. Things and people are like water, constantly changing. Is it so easy to find the weak points?"

He pointed ahead and said, "Are there fewer officials who are prostitutes and corrupt among Confucian scholars? Their 'no doubts' are superficial, and they can certainly see the changes in the strength of their opponents. But they are not 'no doubts' about their own hearts. Otherwise, wouldn't everyone be able to become a saint? It's just that they have their own views on the laws of all things in their hearts."

He pointed in the direction of the government office and continued, "The one who has really changed is the fifth rank, which is the realm of a gentleman, and has obtained 'benevolence'. A gentleman is not a tool, a gentleman is not worried, and a gentleman does not form a party. I have seen a gentleman who has cultivated the idea of ​​'putting oneself in others' shoes' to the extreme. Among the same fifth rank, even warriors are no match for him. What he doesn't want to do, others can't do." "What should I do if I meet an ordinary Confucian scholar?" Meng Yuan asked.

"Just kill him!" Zhang Guinian said as a matter of course, "Don't think that Confucian scholars are noble because they practice the way of saints. In fact, they are full of filth! Their own martial arts are not bad, and their noble spirit is not bad, but they can't compare to our divine power of heaven and earth."

"If it's a fight, what should we do?" Meng Yuan asked bluntly.

"You have to understand one thing. Buddhists cultivate their nature and emptiness, and want to save themselves and others, so you have to be wary of their Vajra Dharma and the way to save others." Zhang Guinian whispered, "Confucianists cultivate themselves, and the relationship between themselves and others, and the people of the world. It is about reason and benevolence. Their path becomes more and more powerful as time goes on, and even if the seventh rank is a transformation, it is not much stronger. What we have to guard against is nothing more than the great spirit, the way of the gentleman."

Zhang Guinian sighed and said, "Prefect Jie is a seventh-rank scholar, but he was also deceived."

"I'd like to hear the details." Meng Yuan became interested.

"Prefect Xie appears to be friendly to the people, but he has actually given away all of Songhe Prefecture's tax revenue, population, surrounding defenses, and official relationships." Zhang Guinian actually had a worried look on his face. "That Xie Kaiping is a sixth-rank monk, and he is just one of the links. Madam Xie is the foundation, and she has not been found."

"Didn't we follow Magistrate Jie and his wife in advance?" Meng Yuan asked.

"That Madam Jie is fake, she really never showed up." Zhang Guinian said with a sigh, "The real Madam Jie practices Joy Zen, has various appearances, and has already bewitched Prefect Jie."

He took out a portrait and Meng Yuan took it and looked at it. This Mrs. Xie looked to be in her forties and quite charming.

Meng Yuan remembered that Jie Kaiping said he wanted to introduce him to his mother, and it turned out that what he said was true.

"Have you found any clues?" Meng Yuan asked.

"Mrs. Xie was extremely alert, there was no trace of her at all." Zhang Guinian was extremely confident, "But Taoist Ke said that they had big plans, so Mrs. Xie probably didn't leave."

"What is your plan?" Meng Yuan asked.

Zhang Guinian nodded his chin forward and said, "Aren't we here to check?"

In front of them was the Jie Mansion, which was already filled with soldiers inside and outside. Not only was Yao Jiamu from the garrison there, but also the constables from the government office.

Yao Jiamu looked old and tired. He stepped forward and saluted, saying, "Everything must be strictly guarded. No one from the Jie Mansion should go out."

"Okay! Once this matter is resolved, I will take credit for Brother Yao!" Zhang Guinian laughed loudly, looked around and said, "I thought there would be Confucian scholars to promote the Xie family, but I didn't expect that no one came! Meng Xiaoqi, take people to search and search!"

Meng Yuan immediately stepped forward with a knife, tore open the seal on the door, and then kicked the door open.

When the door opened, a group of people, young and old, were seen inside, all servants and family members of the Xie Mansion. Everyone was pale, some were crying, some were in a daze, and some were kowtowing non-stop.

In front of this group of people stood seventeen or eighteen servants, each holding a sword. Judging from their appearance, they must have all entered the martial arts world.

Meng Yuan took out the document of confiscation of property, read it aloud, and then pressed the handle of the knife, saying: "Your crime does not deserve death. But if you resist, I will kill you."

The servants hesitated, and when one of them dropped his weapon, the others followed suit.

Meng Yuan waved his hand, indicating that they could begin.

This was the first time Meng Yuan had experienced this, but fortunately, someone gave him advice and helped him.

"All the military men of high rank have been tied up. The clerks are recording various items in the front yard, and the lieutenants of the garrison are in charge of searching and moving items."

"Remember, take all the women and servants of the Jie Mansion to the front yard first!"

Meng Yuan gave the order and walked forward.

"The previous rule was that clerks followed us in conducting inspections, but later we found that it delayed things, so we changed the system," said Gong Zihua.

"Delaying your getting rich?" Meng Yuan asked.

Gong Zihua nodded.

The two chatted together as they passed the lobby and came to the backyard.

They searched house after house, but found nothing unusual. They even searched the residences of Prefect Jie and his wife, and Jie Kaiping, but found nothing unusual.

Meng Yuan went to ask the women and servants, but there was still no clue.

Actually, it makes sense if you think about it. Even Dugu Kang, who was a man of insufficient character, could avoid revealing any flaws, let alone people like Jie Kaiping and Madam Jie.

Meng Yuan walked around and saw a rockery covered with grape vines.

In May, the grapes are green. Meng Yuan draws his sword and cuts off the vines. Jade liquid appears, the sword shines brightly, and he cuts towards the rockery.

The rockery was broken open, revealing a small secret room inside.

The secret room appeared before people, and they saw a square city made of clay. Looking at the roads running through it, it was undoubtedly Songhe Prefecture.

However, most of the clay cities were in a state of disrepair, with all the houses destroyed and the four gates wide open. No civilians were seen coming and going, and the cities were only crawling with countless clay rats.

And in the middle of the city, there is a tall clay sculpture of a green rat monster sitting cross-legged.

The green rat demon was wearing a cassock, had white whiskers, and small, lifeless eyes. He looked somewhat compassionate, yet somewhat strange.

"This is..." Gong Zihua took two steps back.

"Looking at this image, it seems that Songhe Prefecture is going to be transformed into a country of Buddhists and demons." Meng Yuan deduced.

As the two were talking, they heard footsteps behind them.

Turning around, he saw that it was Zhang Guinian who came with Ke Qiuxian.

(End of this chapter)